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Survey Finds More Than 50% of Americans Admit to “Re-Gifting”

Don’t like it, don’t fit in it, don’t use it?  Re-gift it.

Re-gifting has become a common practice in recent years, especially during the holiday season. But in certain social circles, it’s an unthinkable or unmentionable act.  However, in a survey commissioned by Tassimo Hot Beverage System and Harris Interactive®, more than 50 percent of consumers admit to re-gifting, and they plan to re-gift in the future.

While decorative household items, tchotchkes, knickknacks and trinkets were among the most popular types of items to re-gift, the survey found that 77 percent of the consumers polled re-gifted because they felt the item was perfect for the new recipient.  However, nine percent of re-gifters admit they were just too lazy to buy a new gift, while only four percent confess they were motivated by dislike for the recipient.

Aside from the four percent who acknowledge a mean-spirited purpose, is re-gifting a bad thing?

“Re-gifting is a hotly debated issue and should only be done rarely and under specific criteria, such as if you’re certain the gift is something the recipient would enjoy,” said Peggy Post, etiquette expert and author of Excuse Me, But I Was Next.  “However, if you’re in doubt, then don’t re-gift.  Only you can decide whether to re-gift and how to do it appropriately, so think through each situation carefully.”

The survey was commissioned to better understand whether re-gifting, as taboo as it may seem, is a common and acceptable practice.  In fact, the survey reveals that 78 percent of shoppers feel that re-gifting some or most of the time is acceptable.

Additional findings in the survey include:

Experience with Re-gifting

• Ninety percent of those who have re-gifted indicated that, to the best of their knowledge, they have never been caught re-gifting;

• Of those who have re-gifted, 93 percent have done so more than one time and 40 percent indicated having done so at least four times.

Reasons for Re-gifting

• Sixty-nine percent felt comfortable giving a re-gift they received but didn’t want;

• Thirty percent re-gifted because they didn’t have enough money to buy a gift.

Edited by Caroline Boriack

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